Woods End Beginnings

Well, this post has been a long time coming for me. My ministry partner has posted, what? 3 or 4 times now? To my 0 posts? I just couldn’t stand for it anymore and decided it was time give you insight into my pretty little brain.

           

Anyway, I realized I had never quite put everything together and told the story of Woods End’s beginning in its entirety. The full story would take a very long time. So I am going to start last summer and go from there.

            Last summer I was traveling with Covenant, a worship band from NNU. We were at a camp and I was helping to lead a small group of jr. high guys. This small group was filled with young guys with short attention spans, but they were also eager to learn. During these small groups, I didn't always have the right words to say, but while they spoke, I would listen to them and flip through my Bible. By the time they were done with their question, God helped me find the right verses by what I lightheartedly call "magic fingers." This was crazy and it happened the whole week!

            During that week, I realized that I had a lot to learn about the Word. I felt like God was saying something like, “Chris, the the more you know about Scripture, the more you will be able to speak into people’s lives." I stuggled with this idea and how to start this journey on which God was leading me. God then lead me to an idea. The idea was a project I know call, “Scripture in my own Script.” I have started a project where I just read and copy down the Bible; not in my own words, but just in my own handwriting. This has helped me to internalize the Scriptures and to read everything diligently. One day I hope to finish the entire Bible. So far I have finished Romans, 1^st Corinthians, and am more than half way through Judges.

            After a few weeks of reading and writing, I was excited about what I had learned and felt that I needed to share my journey with others. I asked God if I was supposed to pursue speaking in addition to pursuing being a worship leader. I felt affirmed by God to pursue these ministry avenues, and journey with others with the same heart. God started forming an idea in my mind of a ministry collective of people who are ministry oriented and want to share the word, lead people in worship, do design work, and connect with churches in order to further the Kingdom. This ministry is Woods End. We are just getting started, but we are eager to see what the Lord may do with our ministry!

-Chris

Recipe for Community: Waffles and Chicken Fried Steak

Last Sunday, we experienced community. The people of our church came together.... all because of the generosity of our college students.

Last week, my brother, Chris, sent a facebook message out to all of the college students involved in our church. He proposed inviting all of the adults and families in our church to join them for lunch in the college cafeteria. This idea required that students donate their meal passes and take the families from our congregation "out to lunch." The response on the facebook message thread was awesome! The students were so excited about eager to create a time and place to connect.

On Sunday, Chris announced the invitation in church. There were some giggles and muffled chatter, but Chris smiled and stated, "No, I'm serious. We really want to take you out to lunch!"

After church, the students headed over to the cafeteria, spread out around 5 or 6 tables and waited to see who would arrive. Slowly but surely, a few church members started to arrive. Before we knew it we had over 25 adults and kids there eating in the college cafeteria.

It was so heartwarming for me to see the group of the ever-encouraging and always-praying ladies sitting with Adam and Brittney. I loved seeing the kids (with icecream cones in their hands) chasing Kevin around the cafeteria. Seeing Shaun and Brent bond over conversation about their facial hair was priceless. 

I loved seeing and being a part of community.

It was humbling that our college students took the initiative to create this time to be together and provided meals for their church family.

I truly believe that last Sunday was a monumental day in the life of our church. It was a day when generations chatted over waffles, chicken fried steak, and chocolate milk. It was a day when community happened in the college cafeteria.

- Carly

Forbidden Fruit

How often do we try to take something that is not our own from God? How often does the desire for knowledge and control drive us to try to take matters in our own hands?

I think this was the case with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The famous forbidden fruit that they ate was driven by a desire to take matters into their own hands, to understand their circumstances and possess knowledge beyond their own understanding.

As a child, I remember hearing the story of the Fall, and wondering how Adam and Eve could have done such a thing? How could they be so selfish to ruin the perfect Garden of Eden livin' for us all?

However, as I read Genesis chapter 3 this week, I had a reality check. I realized that I saw myself in Adam and Eve.

I realized that I too, am often tempted by the forbidden fruit in my own life. I desire to control my life: my present and future. I find myself wanting to know more, so I analyze countless situations. Yet, like Adam and Eve, I am taking away what is not intended to be mine. I will never attain God's knowledge and wisdom, yet I spin in endless circles and become dizzy trying to understand life and my purpose. After attempting to maintain control, I become exhausted and in turn, aware of my need for God's knowledge and wisdom. I often end up feeling unequipped and "naked," like Adam and Eve.

Yet, that is when God says,
"Leave it to me. You aren't meant to carry this burden. The fruit is forbidden for a reason."

This week, I am working on loosening my grip on control. I will be still and know that He is God.

-Carly